Romney to arm Syrian rebels

Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, has said he will provide weapons to the Syrian opposition forces if he wins office.

Transcript

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has called on the Syrian Government to declare a unilateral ceasefire in the war-torn country.

Speaking in France, Mr Ban also urged countries supplying arms to both sides of the conflict to stop in an effort to curb the bloodshed.

The calls come a day after American presidential candidate Mitt Romney attacked the Obama Administration's policy in the region and said if he were president he'd arm the rebels.

While talk in Western capitals continues, the war on Syria's streets drags on, as Middle East correspondent Matt Brown reports.

MATT BROWN, REPORTER: Syria's rebels have long complained they're a committed force undermined by a fatal lack of firepower. In the city of Homs they're losing ground in the face of a sustained attack from government forces using aircraft and artillery.

And the conflict is spilling across the border with Turkey, where Syrian rebels have been allowed to establish bases and supply lines. For the past week Syrian shells have exploded on to Turkish soil. Turkey's responded, firing back into Syria each time and sending more artillery to the border as tensions spiral.

TURKISH SPOKESMAN (translated): We can't expect the situation in Syria to carry on like this. One day, for sure, there will be change but our wish is that this happens before Syria demolishes itself and more blood is shed, and we wish the international community would act more efficiently.

MATT BROWN: The question is: what will bring an end to the bloodshed? The UN secretary-general says more weapons are not the answer.

BAN KI-MOON, UN SECRETARY-GENERAL: The escalation of the conflict along the Syrian/Turkish border and the impact of the crisis on Lebanon are extremely dangerous. They show that this is a regional calamity with global ramifications. I'm deeply concerned by the continued flow of arms to both the Syrian government and opposition forces. I urge again those countries providing arms to stop doing so. Militarisation only aggravates the situation.

MATT BROWN: Syria's allies, Russia and Iran, have reportedly been sending in supplies and advisers. As for the rebels, the BBC has filmed what appears to be a crate of advanced military equipment shipped in to Aleppo from Saudi Arabia. But the rebels say they need more sophisticated weapons, and they maintain that after they bring down Bashar al-Assad they won't forget the West abandoned them in their time of need. It's a call for arms the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says he will heed if he wins office in November.

MITT ROMNEY, US PRESIDENTAL CANDIDATE: In Syria I'll work with our partners to identify and organise those members of the Opposition who share our values. And then ensure they obtain the arms they need to defeat Assad's tanks and helicopters and fighter jets.

MATT BROWN: Experience has shown that that is easy said than done, and concern about foreign jihadist s now operating in Syria is high. But with neither side able to land a decisive blow the conflict grinds on, and there are no negotiations to bring an end to the bloodshed.

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